A's hopeful Cespedes will be ready for playoffs

By Jane Lee / MLB.com

SEATTLE -- Yoenis Cespedes was missing from Oakland's final regular-season lineup in Seattle on Sunday, and the A's are hopeful that extended rest will allow the outfielder to be ready for the playoffs.

Cespedes, who exited Friday's game because of soreness in his ailing right shoulder, which was diagnosed with tendinitis last week, wasn't even available off the bench Sunday.

He'll have had a total of six days off heading into Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Friday.

"He's better," manager Bob Melvin said Sunday morning, "but we'll stay away from him again and hopefully we can combat that with him being healthier with the time off. We will have some days where pitchers throw to hitters this week, so hopefully he's ready and able to do that."

Cespedes was a significant factor in Oakland's second-half surge, particularly in a runaway September. He hit .314 with six home runs and 19 RBIs in the month after batting .237 or lower in each of the first five months.

During last year's ALDS, Cespedes hit .316 (6-for-19) with two RBIs in five games as a rookie.

Worth noting

• Regulars Coco Crisp and Jed Lowrie also didn't play Sunday, with Melvin seeing an opportunity to rest them.

"There's always a balance in that, too, with the time off this week, but both those guys probably do need the day," Melvin said. "They've played a lot. Two pretty important guys for us, too, so based on their playing time and the position they play, makes sense to give them the day off."

Crisp played in 131 games, Lowrie 154 -- a new career high for the shortstop. Plagued by various injuries in past years, Lowrie had not played more than 97 games entering the year.

Jane Lee is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, Major Lee-ague, and follow her on Twitter @JaneMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.